Dance building confidence might seem counterintuitive for shy people who don’t like the spotlight or like to perform, but that’s the very reason taking classes can help build anyone’s confidence, even someone who doesn’t dance. Completing a few eight counts in front of a group shows that it’s not as scary as it may seem, and the group aspect removes some pressure as well, as you see that other people make mistakes too, not just you.
Plus, dancing relieves stress, which students need in the middle of the day or whenever their PE classes are. These classes are a time to move freely with friends and feel that sense of accomplishment after completing a few counts. Even if the dancer isn’t a fan of dance, the warm ups before class and stretching after (if the class is taught properly) can help relieve tension in the body and give students a light-hearted, low-stakes way to exercise.
For this to work, these classes need to simply present the choreo, have all students dance it at least once in groups, then allow students that want to keep going to do so, and allow everyone else to fall to the back. There can be no controlling teacher that wants all students to participate at the same level, and there shouldn’t be any shaming or forcing a student to dance by themselves if they don’t want to. That ruins the energy of the class and turns already unsure students off from participating in the next class.
There should also be a myriad of styles and music for students to try so that as many tastes as possible are catered to. With this type of environment, students can see that their music taste is appreciated, they can dance whatever style they want, and they’ll still get the benefits of exercise and dancing in a community of peers.
